The minimum viable tracker:

Column Example
Company Acme Corp
Role Software Engineering Intern
Date Applied 2026-05-01
Status Applied
Follow-up Date 2026-05-12
Source LinkedIn / Sorce / company site
Contact recruiter@acme.com
Notes Referred by [Person]

How to set up

  1. Open a new Google Sheet.
  2. Add the columns above as the first row.
  3. Freeze the header row (View → Freeze → 1 row).
  4. Add a status dropdown: Applied, Phone Screen, Interview, Offer, Rejected, Closed.
  5. Color-code by status if you want.

Status field

  • Applied, submitted, awaiting response.
  • Followed up, sent a follow-up after 7-10 days.
  • Phone screen, recruiter screen scheduled.
  • Interview, first round and beyond.
  • Offer, got an offer.
  • Rejected, they said no.
  • Closed, withdrew or role filled.

When to update

  • After a batch of applications (e.g. Sunday night).
  • After follow-ups sent.
  • After recruiter contact.
  • After every interview.

Batch weekly, don't update in real time.

Tips for internship hunting

  • Apply early (October-November for summer internships at top firms).
  • Track every application; even rejections give signal.
  • Follow up at 7-10 days.
  • Cast wide, 50-100 applications is normal for competitive programs.

How Sorce helps

Sorce auto-applies to 5M+ open jobs and internships, 40 free swipes/day. Combine with a tracker to manage the volume.

For more: job application tracker, job tracker, how to follow up on a job application.